In a recent tablehopper newsletter, I mentioned the opening of Sura-Gan, and now there’s another higher-end, modern Korean spot I mentioned, BAN SANG, from the group behind Daeho in the former Izakaya Kou in the Fillmore. It was originally going to be a set menu ($70) from Ethan Min (Atelier Crenn, Saison, Kinjo) and Jin Lim (Michael Mina, Kinjo, Kabuto), but the opening menu is actually à la carte. There are dishes like the already-popular uni scallop toast ($27), Hokkaido scallop, trout roe, soy yolk sauce, toasted bread, nori purée; mulhwe sea bream ($21), fermented chili broth, seaweed oil, cucumber, pickled daikon crystal plant; lime soy fried chicken ($15), lime soy sauce, blistered shishito pepper, cilantro, omija radish pickle; and pork collar ($19), Brussels sprouts, Savoy cabbage purée, sautéed kale, and leeks vinaigrette. Open Tue-Sat 5pm-9pm. 1560 Fillmore St. at Geary.
Now open in the Marina is ILCHA, a more-casual Korean joint designed to serve anju (bar food) and drinks. (In Korean, “ilcha” means first round.) According to a recent Instagram post, the project is a collaboration from Kummi of The Lucky Pig and Hilwin of Nabe (which was previously in the location). The menu includes cheese tteok kkochi (grilled cheese rice cake skewers), bulgogi tater tots, ganjang saewoo (soy-marinated raw shrimp with egg yolk rice, crushed seaweed, sesame oil, wasabi), Korean fried chicken, and bossam and oysters. Look for plenty of soju, makgeolli, beer, and more. Open Wed-Sun 6pm-10pm. 2151 Lombard St. at Fillmore.
Interior of the new Bansang in the Fillmore. Photo courtesy of Bansang.
